www.ExploreCharleston.net

After lunch, meandered around town toward Marion Square and the Spoleto artist market. There were perhaps 60-70 different artists work represented. We easily found one of the owners of the Pink House, because her work is very distinctive and several included the Pink House. We saw a couple of prints that wanted and may return on Saturday.

We then wandered down Meeting Street towards The Market. I picked up a small, charcoal print of Shem Creek. For the most part, there the Market is filled what what I call cheap tourist crap.

There are a number of local sweet grass basket weavers. They're work is always fascinating. Most peoples first impression is that they are over priced, but they never stop to realize that the baskets are most likely their sole income and they don't even have health insurance. With that taken into consideration, I think believe most priced reasonably well. I did take notice that the prices where somewhat lower than in previous visits. I think that is directly related to the current US economic situation. Most visitor's don't have the disposable income they one had, so the market price of the baskets had to adjust downward to meet it.

The Preservation Society of Charleston has a store located on King Street at the Historic Charleston Foundation Store is located on Meeting street. We always make a point to visit and browse these stores. We feel it's important to help support the preservation of such magnificent homes and buildings in Charleston by making even small purchases at these stores. Steven purchased a Goat Island box, which is made from reclaimed wood, and a decorative pineapple . I purchased a moderately detailed book on Charleston Architecture that includes brief descriptions by street and building. I also bought the 2009 Charleston calendar. It always has such nice photographs.


We decided to run back to the hotel briefly before going to supper. Sticky Fingers BBQ on Meeting Street was the destination. I ordered the Carolina sweet half rack of ribs. It came with baked beans and slaw. The ribs where a lot better than I remembered. It's been 2-3 years since we last ate there, because the ribs didn't dazzle us.

Next, we made our way to the College of Charleston Cistern for Burial at Thebes. I was really looking forward to seeing a British play troupe perform. I love the British accent and they have a very long history in performing arts. I was unfamiliar with Burial, but thoroughly enjoyed it. The lead actor conveyed strong emotion in his character and recovered so effortlessly after an Air Force cargo plane flew overhead. He intertwined his recovery into his lines. I was very impressed with such a professional. I was shocked by how quickly the time passed and saddened when it came to an end.

We made our way back to the car for a quick shoe change, then parked closer to the Battery and enjoyed a little time staring into the harbor. It was about 11:30pm and we had the Battery all to ourselves. It's just so relaxing to hear the water lap against the sea wall. This is one of those moments you never want to end.

We also walked down Church, Tradd and Water Streets. Walking the historic residential areas is one of the other relaxing activities we do and you can really appreciate the neighborhoods during the day, but you get a completely different experience at night. Believe it or not, but you will discover details you wouldn't find during the day. Accent lighting among the gardens and along the homes brings the architecture to life. It's an experience that I've come to love.

Charleston Waterfront Park was next. Unfortunately, all of the swings were taken, so we made our way passed them onto the T section at the end. As with the Battery, Waterfront park is also conducive to relaxation. There was a cool breeze coming in from the harbor and the flags were snapping against it. If you know where to look, you can find the Sullivan's Island Lighthouse, the USS Yorktown, Fort Sumter, Fort Johnson, and Sullivan's Island even at night.

As with all things, the evening came to an end and we made our way back to Mount Pleasant for the night.

Friday brings something that I've been looking forward to for a long while. We're going to walk up the Ravenel bridge for the first time. Hopefully the sky will be somewhat clear, because I plan to be snapping many photos. If we have time, we'll also try to work in Magnolia Plantation later this morning. If not, that will be on Saturday morning. We're then heading out to Folly Beach, primarily to see the Morris Island Lighthouse. It's a very beautiful site.